Retirement 2: Planning of Finances, Purpose & HealthSample

Retirement: Your Finances

Search online for retirement planning, and the vast majority of results are about financial planning. As if that’s what it’s all about!

Finances are definitely a big part of planning for retirement, but as Jesus says, let’s not get too worried about it:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? – Matthew 6:25

Wait a minute, you say. I do need to worry about my finances, otherwise, how will I pay my bills to my last days?

Yes, you do need to plan responsibly. So let’s look at three scenarios, one of which will fit you.

1. HARDLY ANY MONEY

This is sadly a category that many people will fall into. The good news here is that not having a surplus may be the best faith-builder there is!

In this case, the above verse about not worrying really hits home, doesn’t it? As does this verse:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.– Philippians 4:6-7

Besides prayer, we need to live by the “3-Line Motto” as outlined in another reading plan (look it up later):

Do your best

Let Jesus do the rest,

And don’t be stressed.

And, besides this, take comfort in these words of Jesus:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. – Luke 6:20b-21

2. PLENTY OF MONEY, LOTS EXTRA

If this is you, then thank God for your situation! But also think carefully about WHY He may have entrusted all these worldly riches to you in the first place. Everything does have a reason, and God does have a plan, and this verse applies to you too:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.– Ephesians 2:10

The Apostle Paul expands on this verse, especially for you as follows:

Command those who are rich in this present world … to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. – 1 Timothy 6:18-19

The main thing to know is that as you enter retirement, you now have both time and money with which to help build God’s Kingdom. And, by doing so, you will transform your earthly riches into heavenly treasure!

Search YouVersion for the reading plan Managing Money & Wealth–What the Bible Says to learn more.

3. ENOUGH MONEY, NO WORRIES

Most likely, you consider yourself neither poor nor rich, but somewhere in-between. Everything seems pretty much in balance, without too little or too much.

As you enter retirement, the gift of more free time has been given to you. But, like all gifts given by our Maker, it comes with a responsibility.

The extra free time, of course, is not given to you just to spend on yourself. After all, you’re likely still healthy, well, and even able to work if you had to. So now is the time to sort out the priorities for this next phase of life, and see how you might (finally?) spend some serious time to help build the God’s Kingdom here on earth, which is right where you are!

Start by meditating on this verse, and see how God has gifted you to spend some of that extra free time to now work in His vineyard:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24

For it is as Jesus says:

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. – Matthew 9:37b

Not sure what you might do, or even if you are called to do anything? Then dig into the YouVersion reading plan #1 Most Difficult Parable of All to get some perspective.

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Whatever your situation, God has a plan to provide for you, care for you, and bless you so that you may help build His Kingdom here on earth as you bless others!

Be blessed as you do that!